Index.



PATENTED MAR. 21,/ 1905. C. M. GOTT.

INDEX. APPLIGATIONHLED-30.31, 1904.

2 SHEETS-snm 1..

iA'l'tN'l'ED MAR. 21, 1905.

G. M. GOTT.

INDEX.

APPLIOATION HLBD Dao. s1. 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Witwe/oom aww/nuja l UNITED STATES ratenea March 21,1905.

PATENT O OFFICE.

"' INDEX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,090, dated March 21,1905. Application inea December s1, 1904. serial No. 239,197.

all, whom t may concern: y

Be it known that I, CHARLES MILTON GOTT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements i'n Indexes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to indexes, and is more particularly adapted for use in indexing public records.

The Vobject of my invention is to provide an vindex by the use of whichl the existence 0r non-existence of a recorded instrument may be readlly ascertained and with a great degree of certainty.

A further object of my inventionis to pro-l I- vide an 'index especially adapted for indexing a very large numberof recorded instruments and which may be properly filled with the eX- penditureof a minimum amount of time by the indexer.

A further object of my invention is to provide `an index by the use of which a name known to the Searcher only by sound may be readily and conveniently found.

A further object of my invention is to provide an index wherein similar family names,

even though differently spelled, areindexed in a single group.

Afurther lobject of my invention is to provide an index having a subindex wherein is placed thefamily name only, the said family name appearing in the subindex in but one place and with cross-references to different spellings, if any, of the same family name.

A further object of my invention is to provide a subindex wherein certain .pages are designated to receive family names bya predetermined number of letters 'forming the beginning of said name and provided with columns within which'is entered the letter in said family name lnext following the said pagedesignating letters.

As is well known, many family names for various reasons have come to be spelled differently, though retaining the same or similar pronunciation. A party searching an index often knows the name only by sound; and,

it is the principal object of my invention to arrangement of name-columns and other columns having identifying data, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out. in the appended claims, it being understoodthat changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Figure y1 shows a fragment of a page ofA my improved index arranged for the indexing of real-estatetransfer records. Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are fragments of pages of the subindex forming a part of my improved index and necessary for use in connection with my main l ment of which is shown at Fig. l and which. vmay be duplicated ad Zvfbzfzma The separate pages are for convenience properly designated each by a separate number, as the number 109 appearing in the upper right-hand c0rner.of Fig. 1. Adjacent the left-hand edge of the page a column 1 is formed with a heading 2 properly designating the said column to receive all family names of similar spelling or sound. Adjacent the column 1 are disposed a plurality of colu'lnnsvin aniy number desired, as thc columns 3, 4, and 5, in which are placed the given names belonging with the family names entered in column 1. 1n the said columns 3, 4, and 5 are placed headings 6, 7, and 8, including a group of letters arranged in alphabetical sequence and proper designation to indicatethat in the said columns are to be entered given namesbe.-

place rall such family names irrespective of l ginning with any of the said letters in said group forming a part of said heading. The letters heading the said columns include all the letters of the alphabet, and the said headings are so arranged that the letters of each group follow the letters of the preceding group in alphabetical sequence.

In public records, there being two parties to each instrument, it is desirable to enter the names of both parties in the index to more properly identify the instrument, and forthis purpose a column 9 is provided, following-to the right of the columns 3, 4, and 5. VAs shown in Fig. 1, the indexed names appearing in col mn 1 are the grantors, and consequently the names appearing in column 9 would be the grantees, as indicated bythe designation 10 in said column.

for the entry therein of the number of the volume of records in'which the indexed instrument is recorded, and a column 12 is also provided properly designated for the entry of the page-number of the said record-volume. To the right of columnl 12 may be provided any desired number of columns, as 13 and 14, which may be provided with any desired heading for the entry therein of any further information relative to the said instrument which it is desired to enter in the said index.

As shown in Fig. 1, the index is arranged for the indexing of the names of grantors, and a heading is supplied, as at l5, adjacent the top of the page, properly designating the said page for the receipt of all grantors names phonetically similar and designating that the said similar names be entered therein in a single group, and that the given names belonging therewith be entered opposite and in a column headed by the initial letter. Supplemental to the'heading 15 the word Grantors appears, as at 16, over the columns 1,2, 3, 4, and 5, to further indicate that the said columns are the columns referred to in the heading 15.

While I have shown the main index arranged for the indexing of grantors in real -estate transfers, it is obvious that the designations the said index thereby becoming a grantee-iudex without other change being necessary. 1t

1 and constituting the main index.

is also obvious that the index-is as fully adapted for indexing other records-das, for instance, the judgment-records of a court or the assignment-records of the Patent Oflice.

With the main index above described is necessarily used a subindex to locate the family- To the right'of column 9 -is provided a column 11, properly designated of the same family name.

lsimilar.-

the top of the said pagew isplaced a proper des- ,ignation 2l to indicate that the family name will be found below and that on the same line a reference to the index-page, upon which will be found v1n a single group al'l the recorded surnames phoneticallysimilar, as fully explained in reference to Fig.. 1. The said heading also contains a proper designation 22 to indicate that the third letter of the surname sought will be found to the left of the familyname column and in a column headed-by that letter. To the left of the subindex-page are placed the said columns,whic h are numbered 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. These columns maybe of any desired number and each of them/headed by a letter or a group of letters arranged in alphabetical sequence. rlhe said columns are the columns referred to in designation 22 and contain as headings all the letters of the alphabet, each group following the preceding group in such order that the entire alphabet appears in unbroken alphabetical sequence. A column 29, as designated in designation 21, is properly headed to indicate that in the said columnare entered on the same line all of the various spellings To the right of column 29 is provided 'a vc o'lumn 30. properly designated to receive the main index-page number, wherein is indexed in a single group all the recorded family names phonetically the designation of a main .index-volume where the subindex eis not bound in the same volume with the main index or to designate a page on which a group has been continued, or one column may be used for grantor groups and another for grantee groups.

As comparatively little spaceis required for the subindexing, it is my preferred practice to provide two or more similar subindex-rulings upon a single page, and it will be understood that Figs. 2, 3, 4,-and 5 are intended to represent but a portion of the page both laterally and longitudinally.'

The operation of my improved index is as follows: As shown in Fig. 1, a warranty deed granted b v Orlando and Susan Alcot is recorded in Vol. page 225. ments are granted by others of the same family name; but the-said name is variously spelled, as shown in FigQl, as Alcottf Olcot and ()lcott. the main index, as shown at Fig. 1, is assigned to the said family name as variously spelled. The said family name when spelled Alcot or Alcott begins with the letters AL Therefore on the page of the subindex designated by the letters LAl will be placed the names Alcott and Alcot The third letter of said names being "c will be placed in column 23, that being the column headed by the letter c, as indicated in designation 22. Upon the same line will be a crossreference, as See Olcott, Olcot. Upon the A second column 31 is provided for Various instru- A space on page 109 of IIS IZO

. that the indexed group on page 109 is the same as the group indicated at Fig. 2, following the designation AL- It will be noted that the page 109 is the page shown at Fig. l and that therein is indexed all the several names phonetically similar to Alcot, Upon the same page or any other page, as desired, may be entered another group, as indicated also at Fig.1-as, for instance, the family name variously spelled, as Pfeiffer, Fifer, Fitten llifeiz at Figs. 4 and 5, are entered under the letters Pf those spellingsot' the name beginning 'with the said two letters, wi th a cross-reference' to the names spelled with Fi. On the page so designated are entered the same family names which are spelled with Fi, with a cross-reference to the Pf group, and the main-index page is indicated in each instance as 109, upon which page are recorded all the various spellings of the said name. A searcher wishes to lind the record of an instrument gran ted by Hans and Martha Pfeiffer to John Henderson. He may know the name by sound, but'not-the exact spelling, and he may therefore refer to my subindex .either under Pf or -Fi.- Under those designations he will lind tliat thefamily-namegroup is vupon page 109 of the main index and that thereon isindexcd all the instruments granted by any parties with the said family name, irrespective of' the spelling.4 By tracing down the column j 6, which is lheaded by the initial letters including the letter H, the name "Hans is found, and upon that line is indexed the fact that the instrument is a mortgage to J ohn Henderson and is recorded in- Vol. 9 on page 260. Inn the search for any other nameor any other indexed instrument the same method is pursued.

'hile l have shown and described in reference to my ,main index and niysubindex a certain number of columns for the receipt of initial letters and given names, it is obvious that any number of columns, either more or less than shown, may bc substituted.

While l have shown and described approved and preferred designations for the pages andthe several columns, it is obvious that the said headings may be transposed or the Wording' changed to conform to the requirements .of the matter to be indexed and that other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as novel, and desire to secure by Letters' Patent, 1s-A l. An index dlvlded luto vertical columns ln the subindex. as shown properly designated to receive therein, in a single group, all the recorded surnames of similar spelling.

Q. An index divided into vertical columns properly designated to receive therein in a single group all the-recorded surnames phonetically similar. A

3. In an index, a page properly designated by a letter` a vertical column upon the page properly designated to receive in a group, surnames phonetically similar, other vertical columns adjacent and parallel thereto properly designated to receive a letter occupying a predetermined position in said surnames.

4. In an index, a page properly designated by a plurality ot' letters, a vertical column upon the page prope'rly designated to receive in a group, surnames 'phonetically similar, other vertical columns adjacent thereto properly designated :to receive a letter occupying a predetermined position iny said surnames.

5. An index divided into vertical columns properly designated to receive therein, in a single group, all the recorded surnames of similar spelling', and other vertical columns adjacent thereto properly designated to receive given names on horizontal lines opposite the surnames to which they belong.

6. In an index, a page properly designated by a number, a vertical column upon said page properly designated to receive in a single group, all the recorded lsurnames of similar spelling, in combination with a page properly designated by a letter, a vertical column upon the page properly designated to receive in a single group surnames -phonetically similar, other verticalcolumns adjacent theretol properly designated to receive a letter which shall occupy a predetermined position in the surnames, and another vertical column adjacent, properly designated to' receive a numeral referring to the page designated by a number.

7 In an index, a page properly designated by avnumber, a vertical column upon said page properly designated to receive in f a single group all the recorded surnames phonetically similar, in combination with a page properly designated by a letter, a vertical column upon the page properly designated to receive in a group surnames phonetically similar, other vertical columns adjacent thereto properly designated to receive a letter which'shall occupy a .predetermined position in the surnames, and another vertical column adjacent,

properly designated to receive a numeral re= ferring to the page designated by a number.

8. ln an index,.a page properly designated by a number, a vertical column upon the page properly designated to receive in a single group all the recorded surnames of similar spelling or sound, other vertical columns adjacent thereto properly 'designated to receive upon horizontal lines opposite the surname the given name belonging thereto, another ad-.

IOO

jacent vertical vcolumn properly designated to receive numerals referring to the volume and page where the record may be found, in combination with a page properly designated by 5 a letter, a vertical column upon the page prop-A other vertical column adjacent p roperl)T designated to receive-a numeral referring to the page designated by a number.

In testimony whereof 1 afflx my signature in presence of two witnesses. l

CHARLES MILTON GOTT.

Vvfitnesses:

' E. R. DUNN,

A. W. YOUNG.

MNM.. A 

